NJSDA Announces Demolition and Early Site Preparation Activities to Clear Site for Construction of a New High School in Newark

Newark, NJ - The New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) today joined Newark Public Schools, state, and local officials to highlight demolition and site preparation activities to clear the site for future construction of a new, 198,000 square-foot University High School in Newark.

"The work of the SDA is vital to improving school facilities in Newark, and communities across New Jersey," said SDA CEO Manuel Da Silva. "The advancement of this early site preparation phase is the first step to opening the doors of a new high school that will improve educational opportunities for generations of students. We look forward to our continued partnership with Newark Public Schools, city, and state officials as we collaborate on a school facility that will have the modern educational spaces and resources needed to ready students for college and careers."

"Upon its completion, this state-of-art high school will be the home of the Phoenix, the incredible students from University High School," said Newark Public Schools Superintendent, Roger León. "We applaud this ongoing collaboration with the SDA and our state legislators. We look forward to seeing this project come to fruition, and look forward to many more."

SDA previously awarded APS Contracting, Inc. a general construction contract for $3.3 million to perform demolition, removal and disposal of all existing and associated site elements, including underground storage tanks and building remnants, removal and capping of existing utilities within the project boundary limits, removal of vacated Dewey Street and all utilities within the street. All early site preparation activities are anticipated for completion in March 2027.

The next phase of this important project is the advancement of a design-build contract that will encompass the final design and construction of the new school. An advertisement for design-build services was issued July 1, 2026 and bid proposals were due October 6, 2026. The new high school will be designed to educate a maximum of 1,080 students in grades nine through twelve in a three-story building. The total estimated SDA project cost for the new school, inclusive of the early site preparation contract, is $173 million.

The SDA has previously completed 15 capital projects and 159 health and safety/grant/emergent projects in Newark.

About the New Jersey Schools Development Authority

The SDA is the State agency responsible for fully funding and managing the new construction, modernization and renovation of school facilities projects in 31 SDA Districts. Its current portfolio of active projects is valued at approximately $2 billion - including the Capital Project portfolio, emergent projects and Regular Operating District grants. Since the program's inception, the SDA has provided funding for and management oversight of 900 completed school facilities projects in SDA Districts and has executed more than 5,400 grants for Regular Operating Districts throughout the State of New Jersey. For more information about the SDA, please visit our website at: www.njsda.gov; or follow us on social media at:Facebook; Instagram; LinkedIn; or Twitter.